Nick Cannon Compares Kevin Hart Oscar Controversy to McCarthyism

Shutterstock/Nick Cannon attends the 'Chiraq' press conference during the 66th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Berlin Hotel, in Berlin, Germany on February 16, 2016.

Nick Cannon has continued to defend Kevin Hart following the comedian’s decision to step down from hosting the Oscars after he refused to apologize over anti-gay comments, comparing the social climate to “McCarthyism,” according to BuzzFeed News.

Cannon was on BuzzFeed News’ AM to DM on Tuesday when he told host Saeed Jones that “everyone’s just scared to move, scared to speak, and I’m not.”

Following Hart’s decision to quit hosting next year’s Oscars, Cannon went on Twitter to show “selective outrage and hypocrisy,” and referenced past anti-gay language used by comedians Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler.

On Dec. 4, Hart was picked to host the 91st Academy Awards, but a few days later old tweets from 2010 resurfaced showing the actor using homophobic language such as “f*g” and wrote that if he found his son playing with dolls he would beat him.

The Academy had asked Hart to apologize for the tweets, which he refused to do saying that he’s grown since then and has previously apologized. He announced Dec. 7 that he would be stepping down from hosting duties and apologized to the LGBTQ community.

“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists,” he wrote. “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”

I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.

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